Celebrate Shelton cancels Food Trucks on the River, concert series

Today, Celebrate Shelton creators Nicole Mikula, Michael Skrtic, and Jimmy Tickey released the following open letter to the Shelton community:

Thank you for your continued support of Celebrate Shelton. We hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. 

While we are all navigating life during COVID-19, and in following CDC guidelines, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Food Trucks on the River in June and September. While we are disappointed to share this news, the health and safety of our entire community is our top priority. 

Though we cannot gather in person, we have found a way to stay connected. During these last six years, we have spent the summers together during Downtown Sounds Summer Concerts and in the spirit of being together, we are thrilled to announce that we will be offering a one night VIRTUAL Downtown Sounds Summer Concert on Friday, July 24 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Together, we will share in music and community during these challenging times. 

Please stay tuned for our VIRTUAL Downtown Sounds at CelebrateShelton.com and via Facebook/Instagram (@celebrateshelton). Again, thank you for your continued support of all we do. 

Celebrate Shelton was formed in 2014 by small business owners Nicole Mikula, Michael Skrtic and Jimmy Tickey.

The organization focuses on community arts engagement in Shelton and over the last six years has hosted Downtown Sounds Summer Concerts, Food Trucks on the River, Mamma's & Mimosas and the annual Community Tree Lighting.

Celebrate Shelton events are free and always family-friendly.

For more information, visit www.CelebrateShelton.com.

Beacon Falls Public Library seeks suggestions for virtual programs

Sharing from the Library's Facebook page:

"A few changes to our Virtual Programming Schedule... Journaling will be Monday afternoons at 3 p.m., and our Craft-Alongs will be moved to every other Saturday morning. 
"We will also begin posting Eventbrite sign-ups again for these virtual programs so that reminders can be emailed out. If you have any suggestions for programs you'd like to see, we'd love to hear them!"

Recuperation journey: At the park during a pandemic

On Sunday Osbornedale State Park in Derby was filled with families enjoying a beautiful sunny afternoon to be outdoors. People were fishing, hiking, and just soaking up some sun. 

The geese aren't concerned about social distancing. The pandemic couldn't cancel their parade.

Griffin Hospital reschedules annual golf classic in Wilton, gala in Monroe

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Annual Golf Classic, originally scheduled for June 29 will now be held Oct. 5 at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton.  
Griffin’s Annual Gala is scheduled Nov. 14 at The Waterview in Monroe. 

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 13 more COVID-19 associated deaths

Today, NVHD learned of 13 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths among Valley residents. 
While today’s report includes a high number of deaths, the deaths reported occurred between the period of April 24 to May 15. Of the decedents, one individual was a Shelton male in his 40s. The additional 12 deaths were residents of nursing homes in Naugatuck (6) and Shelton (6). 
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the individuals who have lost their loved ones due to COVID-19 complications.

Derby Historical Society cancels 'A History of Weapons,' to share video Tuesday

Tuesday at Ten 

We will be sharing a video documentary from Primitive Technologist Jim Dina.

A History of Weapons - Stone Age to the American Colonies with Jim Dina was canceled following protocol, so we will share some of the magnificent work of our friend with you on video format. This week will not be live, but please be sure to visit facebook.com/davidhumphreyshouse and "Like" our page.
 

Click here for the printable membership form: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/3a79ac2188170e3441f4525f1/files/9ecb28e7-1ec1-402b-ac12-2d7dbcb1e540/DHS_Member_App.pdf 

Lilacs in bloom beautify grounds of First Congregational Church in Derby

Ralph and I are members of the First Congregational Church in Derby. 
When our pastor mentioned in his weekly email that the Lilacs were blooming we had to go there Sunday to see for ourselves!
The beautiful French Lilac is Derby's official bush.

Here they are blooming along a retaining wall next to the parking lot.

In May, 2004 our congregation planted a lilac bush in loving memory of longtime member Christine Ralph.

This is the bush 16 years later.

*The text below is shared from a Derby history quiz posted on the Electronic Valley.

On Thursday, May 13, 2004 (Derby's 329th birthday!) the Board of Aldermen named the French Lilac the official bush of the City of Derby.  See the information below to find out why.

When warm weather arrives, with it comes an array of beautiful spring shrubs and flowers. One of the loveliest and most fragrant is the Lilac which blossoms in May.
The story of the Lilac bush in the United States is a first for Derby, in fact, it's a Connecticut first. Dr. John Durand, a French Huguenot physician came to Derby about 1680. He purchased a house on Academy Hill now known to Derbyites as Brownie Castle. The house was supposedly built by Samuel Bowers, the son of one of Derby's first ministers. It is one of the oldest houses in Derby.
Derby was sparsely settled with only a few families. It was mostly wilderness. 
Dr. Durand missed the fragrant Lilac shrubs that grew in France, and upon making a return voyage back to France, he returned with a large number of Lilac roots which he planted on the grounds around his home. Thus, the first French Lilac bushes appeared in the United States. 
All of Dr. Durand's descendants were said to have the loveliest Lilac bushes surrounding their homes.
Dr. Durand is buried in the Olde Uptown Burial Ground.
The Encyclopedia Americana says that the most common and widely cultivated of the Lilac bushes in the United States is the French Lilac.

This quiz contributed by Joan Driscoll